This browser does not support the Video element.
Suspect admits intent to killing deputies if ammo hadn’t run out: Affidavit
Though a man accused of shooting at two Volusia County deputies doesn't have any prior convictions, he does have previous arrests for violence-related offenses. Now, Luis Diaz Polanco is in jail without bond after allegedly shooting at two deputies on March 2.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida man was denied bond after he's suspected of the attempted murder of two Volusia County deputies.
He reportedly admitted he would have been "forced to kill" the officers had he not run out of ammunition, an arrest affidavit said.
What we know:
Luis Diaz Polanco, 31, is facing two felony counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.
Who is Luis Diaz Polanco?
Polanco is accused of shooting at two Volusia County deputies around 5:30 p.m., March 2, who responded to a Deltona residence regarding reported criminal mischief. One deputy was injured; the second was not.
Prior battery charges
Polanco told deputies he argued with his mother earlier in the day – around 5 a.m., March 2 – and confronted his mom’s friend while armed. The deputies responded to a Deltona residence after the woman reported that her friend's son – named Luis – was acting "erratically" and hit the hood of her car, a Volusia County arrest affidavit said. While officers weren't able to establish probable cause for assault/battery, they continued to investigate the criminal mischief – leading them to a home in Deltona.
Polanco was previously accused of battery on Aug. 10, 2024 in connection to allegedly grabbing two elderly people – over 65 years old – and throwing them out of a car he was operating as a Lyft driver. An elderly woman in this situation was injured, however, on Aug. 19, 2024, the State Attorney's office decided not to prosecute this case.
The Volusia County Sheriff's office responds to a deputy-involved shooting on March 2, 2026.
Affidavit: Admitted to smoking marijuana hours prior
Polanco said he purchased a greenish-colored gun for $600 in Sanford. Chitwood said the gun was legally purchased in Sanford. The sheriff's office is investigating how Polanco got ahold of the weapon.
Chitwood said Polanco was involved in a July 4 incident in which he pointed a gun at someone. The description of the gun matches the gun used in this incident, he said.
He also said he last smoked marijuana at 11 a.m., Monday.
(Source: Volusia County Sheriff's office)
‘Having a bad day’
Polanco told deputies about his "horrible day," starting with his encounter with his mom's friend that morning. He told deputies he’d been off his prescribed schizophrenia medication for a month after missing an appointment.
Chitwood said Polanco's mom and sister had both been victims of his violence.
History of mental health issues
He said he intentionally fired at the deputies, thinking ballistics vests would protect them, but later said that if he hadn’t run out of ammunition, he would have continued shooting and would have been "forced to kill" the deputy, the arrest affidavit said.
Sheriff Chitwood said Polanco has a history of mental health issues and aggressive or violent interactions with neighbors and family members. He added that Polanco was taken into custody of June 2025 for a mental health evaluation.
Read more: Volusia County deputy in stable condition after body cam deflects bullet to shoulder
The Volusia County Sheriff's office responds to a deputy-involved shooting on March 2, 2026.
What led to the shooting?
Two deputies with the Volusia County Sheriff's office – Jose Rivera and Jacob Gomez-Lopez – responded to a Deltona home after a report of Polanco hitting his mom's friend's car.
At the home, deputies spoke with a man in the backyard and asked him where Polanco was. The man pointed to inside the home, the affidavit said.
When deputies went to the front door, Polanco "appeared surprised," – the affidavit said – and pointed a gun at the deputies and fired 12 shots at the deputies before retreating inside.
During the shooting, Deputy Rivera was hit twice – once in the chest, with the bullet hitting his body camera and ricocheting into his shoulder, and once in the thigh, Sheriff Chitwood said on March 2.
"When the deputies came up to the house, he had every intention to shoot them," Chitwood said on March 3.
Deputy Gomez-Lopez – who was not harmed – took cover behind a neighbor's home and reported that shots were fired and requested assistance, the affidavit said. When additional deputies arrived, Gomez-Lopez described the suspect, saying he fired a tan-colored gun at the deputies.
Responding deputies found Rivera two houses away. He was transported to the hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds. As of March 3, Rivera is in stable condition.
Premeditated: Asked AI about murdering someone
Investigators determined that on Feb. 14, Polanco asked an AI Spanish platform if he "can kill someone if they visit my property," Chitwood said.
"AI then gave him a definition of Stand Your Ground and Florida law," Chitwood said.
Over 20 bullet casings found
After Polanco shot at the deputies, he went back inside the home and later came out – trying to get into his car – and was taken into custody.
"He decided he just wanted to give up," Chitwood said of Polanco. Chitwood said Polanco was alone during the incident.
Two other people taken into custody were living in the shed behind the property paying Polanco rent, Chitwood said.
Investigators found a tan/green colored gun in the home, along with 12 bullet casings leading from the front door to the yard. Six additional casings were found in front of the neighbor’s home, the arrest affidavit said.
Polanco fired 12 shots and Rivera, while retreating, fired six, Chitwood said.
"He fired at him (Rivera) and followed him down that driveway," Chitwood said of Polanco.
What's next:
Polanco is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail. At his first appearance on March 3, Polanco was issued no bond.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from a Volusia County arrest affidavit.